Sheet registering device



A. WORMSER SHEET REGISTERING DEVICE Oct. 12,1 1937.

8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March s1, 1931 Even/3277 Oct. 12, 1937. A, w m E-2,095,276

SHEET REGISTERING DEVICE Filed March 31, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inf/en Z02 Oct. 12, 1937. A. WORMSER SHEET REGISTERING DEVICE Fi led March 31,1931 a Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 12, 1937. A. WORMSER SHEET REGISTERING DEVICEFiled March 31, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inven 5r:-

A. WOMS 2m SHEET REGISTERING DEV WE Filed March 31, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet5 @at. E22, 12931 A. WORMSER SHEET REGISTERING DEVICE 1951 8Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 31 Oct. 12, 1937.

A. wpRMsER SHEET REGISTERING DEVICE Filed March 31, 1931 8 Sheets-Shut 7J5zvenZan= p I A. W oRMsEaR 2,95,2?fi

SHEET REGISTERINGDEVICE Filed March 31, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 PatentedOct. 12, 1937 PATENT OFFICE.

2,095,216 sneer REGISTERING nnvrca Arthur Wormser,Ofienbach-on-the-Main, Ger- 7 many, assigno'r tov Faber & Schleicher, A.G.,

Offenbach-on-the-Main, Germany,

ration of Germany Application March 31, 1931, Serial No. 526,63?

In Germany April 70 Claims.

The present invention is an improvement in feeders particularly-adaptedfor use in association with printing presses, any association where sucha device is desirable.

'The principal object of this invention is to provide a new-registeringdevice which will allowhitherto obtainable,

for a higher speed than it is this speedingup beingeffected-bysuchan-arrangement andway of operation of all parts of the registeringdevicethat the idle part of the printing pressor the like may be passedin a shorter time than is available for the registering. Another objectof myv invention is to provide a device which is workable whilst thepreceding sheet partially covers the sheet to be registered. Anotherobject of my invention is to provide a device which is workable whilstthe sheet is'being transported.

' Another object of my invention is to provide a device in which thesheet after having been registered in one direction at least, istransported with a higher speed than the working speed of the press orthe like.

Another object of myinvention is to provide a device in which the sheetwhilst being registered in one direction at least, is transported with ahigher speed than the working speed of the press or the like.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device in which the sheetat once is positively held fast and the device holding the sheet isshifted by such a distance as the .uninfluenced position of I one edgeof the sheet prescribes.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simply and effectivelyworking device for registeringthev second edge'of the sheet, heldfastafter the registering of the first edge.

Another object of my invention. is to provide for means bending andtightening the sheet whilst its second edge is being registered.

Another object of my invention is to provide for a side registeringdevice very closely to the .front edge of the sheet.

Another object of my invention'is to provide a'front lay the actuatingparts of which are arranged underneath thesheet' to be fed.

Other objects of my invention will be apparen from the snbjoineddescription and from a consideration of the operations and functions ofthe mechanism embodying my invention.

. In order that my invention may be fully understood. I will firstdescribe .the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, andafterwards point out the novelty thereof more particularly in theannexed claims.

but adapted for use in that can be disposed In the accompanying drawingsFig. 1 is a sectional elevation through the whole device. Fig. 2 is asectional elevation showing another position of the whole device. Fig.2!is a detail of the forgripper device. Fig. 3 is a plan of the feedingplate and of the device holding and shifting the i sheet. Fig. 4 is asectional elevation of the side registering device. Fig. 5 is a sectionof the same through the line DD in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a section of the'forgripper device and Fig. '7 another section of a detail of the same.Fig; 8 is a sectional elevation of the parts actuating the sheetshifting device, in thesame larger scale as the following figureis. Fig.8 containing some parts of the side registering device. Fig.10 is a planof the side registering device in-a still larger scale. Figs. 11-16 aresectional views of the side registering device in the same scale as Fig.showing the successive positions of this device. Fig. 1'7 is a sectionthrough the line AA indicated in Fig. '10. Fig. 18 is a 'sectionthroughthe line BB in Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is a section through the line CO in Fig.10. Fig. 20 is a plan of the same details as shown in Fig. 19. Fig. 21is an elevation of the front lay. Fig. 22 represents diagrammatically,on a reduced scale, the means of driving certain of the mechanisms, andFig. 23 represents, on an enlarged scale, a shock absorbing means forone of the elements. Fig. 24 representsdiagrammatically on a smallscale, a pile of sheets to be fed to the machine and the means forfeeding the same, together with the front gauge and certain of. theparts adjacent thereto. Fig. 25 represents-a detail, partly in section,of a portion of the side registering device in the same scale as Fig.10. Fig. 25'. represents a vertical section taken in the, plane of theline EE of Fig. 25. Fig. 26 represents a detail horizontal section of aportion of the mechanism for controlling the side registering deviceshowing the parts in an unlocked position. Fig. 27 represents a similarview of the parts in their locked position. y g

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 the side frames of the printing press aredenoted by the bearings 3, 4 of a printing. cylinder 5 are disposed, andthe same frames may support the axle 6 of a device containing theforgrippers I and the axle 8 of a special scribed further on.

The side frames III, H (see also Fig. 3) support the feeding table l2.The steel feeding plate I3 is supported by arms I! which are loose onan'axle supported by the said frames-Ill, ll.

- Between the frames is fixed a bar l6 in which I, 2 in which frames 4registering device de- 1' Fig. 9 is a plan of the same device asadjusted sideways.

part of the device is not an essential feature of my invention. The pileof sheets to be fed to the machine is denoted by |3|. In front of thispile two rollers I32, I33 are disposed, one of which is rotated at apredetermined speed to feed the sheets forwardly. The uppermost she'etI34 of the pile is aspirated by a suction nozzle I35 in proper time,whilst the rear end of the two preceding sheets I36, I31 are still lyingon the sheet I34. After having aspirated the sheet I34, the nozzle I35moves forwardly and inserts the front edge of the sheet I34 between therollers I32, I33, so that it is fed forwardly with the preceding sheetsoverlapping it. The nozzle I35 now releases the sheet I34 and returns toits initial position. By this or any similar device, the sheets are fedup to the front lay 23 in such a state that every sheet is overlapped'bythe preceding sheet. When the sheet 3, which is shown in Fig. 1 as beinga certain distance from the front lay 20, will have touched the frontlay, as shown in Fig. 24,7it is not registered sideways, as is usual,but at once it is held fast by the suction effect of a row of nozzles 2|which are supported in such a way that they easily can be shiftedsideways, by levers 22 fixed on the axle 8 mentioned above. The frontlays 20 may, if desired, participate in the lateral motion of thenozzles 2|, although'in the embodiment shown in the drawings they do notmove sidewise. Conventional means are appliedforconnecting the nozzles2| with a valve (not shown) for opening and closing this valve and forconnecting it with the vacuum pump.

Now the axle 3 by means of the lever 23, connecting rod 24, and a cam 3(Fig. 22), begins swinging forward, taking along the front lays 23,

the nozzles2| and the sheet 3. After a certain.

swing asecond row of nozzles 2|a gets in touch with the sheet 3, andsuction at once begins there too so that the sheet is now held by tworows of nozzles.

The levers 22 are still continuing their forward 60 swing betweenthcpositions shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, whilst the registering sidewaysis taking place asnow will be described.

In the levers 22 (Figs.- 4 and 8) is supported a sliding rod 25, on thetwo ends of which there are keys 23 preventing it from being turned, but

permitting it being shifted. Furthermore at the two ends of rod 25 thereare forks 21, 21a supporting rollers 23, 23a by'means of pivots 23, 23a.Depending on the adjustment of either one of two rings 33, 30a eitherthe spring 3| presses the rod 25 to the right or another spring 3 Iapresses it to the left. In the case shown in the drawings Fig. 4 theroller 23 may bear against a cylindric cam 32, whilst in the other casethe second roller 23a on the other end of the rod 25 wouldbear against asimilar cam 32a, arranged on the other side of the machine. This doublearrangement has the purpose to register sideways either edge of thesheet, as sometimes is necessary.

Theroller 23 is'rolling over the surface of the cam 32 in consequence ofthe swing of the levers ,22. But inaddition to this the cam 32 isswinging in'the opposite sense to make the shifting of the,rod 25quicker. This swing of the cams 32 easily, is produced by connectingrods 33, 33a and cams not shown in the drawings.

On the rod 25 are fixed two arms 34, 34a-(Figs. 4 and 5) between whichthere are two springs 35, 35a pressing against each other on a rod 36 onwhich slides a little body 31 which is clamped on I 32, and when therows of nozzles are stopped,

the spring 35 is compressed.

The rows of nozzles in the tubes 38, 39 are stopped in the following way(Figs; 9-14). Be-

tween the levers 22 there are fixed two rods 43, 4| on which a block 42is fastened on a point depending on the width of the sheet to befed (asecond block with all the other parts described below is arranged on theother side of the machine for being able to register the other edge ofthe sheet, as mentioned above). In block 42 there is arranged a littlebar 43 easily shifting sideways, this lateral movement being stopped,

in one way by the head 44, in the other way by a little body 45 fixed tothe bar 43 and supporting the side lay 46. The body 45 bears on the twolips 41, 48 mentioned above, thus hindering the bar 43 and the side lay46 from being turned (see also Fig. 19). Attached to the side lay 46 isa surface 63 on which the sheet rests. the upper portion of whichsurface is of cylindrical form.

On the same lips 41, v48 is clamped a little body I 43 (Fig. 11) inwhich is a hole throimh which the end of the bar 43 can move withoutfriction. But if a wedge 50 is pressed into a notch 5| of s the bar 43',this bar definitely is clamped in the body 49 and consequently fixed tothe rows of nozzlesas well. The clamping and unclamping is produced by apinion 52 having a screw threaded engagement with a thread 53, providedon the wedge 50. The pinion 52 is turned in either way by two racks 54,alternately moved by two pistons 55 as soon as either one is pressed byair pressure, controlled by valves not shown. The diameter of theclamping piston is smaller than the diameterof the unclampingpiston sothat unclamping is produced in any case. The wedging of the bar 43 bythe wedge 50 takes place at the moment fixed by the machine which istherefore not dependent on the position of the sheet to be registered.

In the block 42 is arranged a small lever 56 (see alsoFigs. 1'1 and 18)bearing with-one end against the side of the bar 43, the pressure beingadjustable by a screw 51 and a spring 58, thus enabling avery fineregulation of the friction of bar 43 in block 42.

The described arrangement is working in the following way (Figs. 11-14).When the sheet is fed to the front lays and advanced by the suctiontheir position farthest left. As the body 43 is also clamped on thetubes 33, 33, it presses the body 45 38, 33 on which the body 31 isclamped, are in against the block 42, so that there is no distancebetween 42, 45 and 43. Thisfiaosition of the parts is'represented inFig. 11. In ad tion, the edge of the sheet 53, shown ,in said isinitially not yet registered.

lever 56 and the bar disposed a certain distance from the side lay '46,which distance may vary, since the sheet 59 is Therefore, provision mustbe made so that the sheet in moving toward the front lay does notarrive'so far to the right as to bear against the side lay or so fartothe left. as to miss the cylindrical surface 60. This condition iscompensated for by the lateral adjustment of the block 42 on the bar 49and the body 49 on the lips 41, 49. 1

When new the re ler 28 descends on thesurface of cam 32, the tubes 38,39 move to the right, taking along the r bar 43 which is held by thefriction of lever 56. When this movement has proceeded suflicientlylong, the edge; 59 of the sheet bears against the side lays 46 as shownin side lay being damped by ,the friction between the 43. From thismoment the sheet takes along the side lay 46 and with it the bar 43,. Tofacilitate this the bar 43 is partly milled out in proper shape (Fig.18) sothat the pressure and consequently the friction of lever 56 isdiminished as soon as the motion of bar 43 has begun.

After the side edge of the sheet 59 has taken along the side lay asshown in Fig. caused to beactuated to 'permit the pressure of air tomove the clamping piston 55 and racks 54, which movement of the racksrotates the pinion 52 threaded on the wedge 59 and the wedge 50 ispressed upwards, as shown in Fig.- 13 so that the bar 43 is now sheet 59may be quite brought 'to the side lay and slightly-move the same beforethe wedge 50 clamps the bar 43. The moment of clamping may be controlledby structural design for the reason that the body 49 is clamped to thesuctiontubes 39, 39 which shift the aspirated sheet sideways, inconnection with which the side lay 46 and also the bar 43 are carbetweenthe bar 43 and the wedge 59, there is no relative motion so that theclamping fast can take-place within given limits at any desired momentwhich is independent of the chance position of the sheet to beregistered.

The lateral motion of the tubes tinues until the head 44 bears againstthe block 42'(Fig. 14). This happens earlier or later depending ontheposition, where the bar 43 has been clamped in the body 49. Thisposition of the bar 43 within the body 49 is variable because theinitial distance of the side lay is also'variable. If, for instance, the

' unregistered sheet is positioned far to theleft stance, a longer 75against the b10612 I.

ment of the sheet to the side lay will be rela-- 'tively smaller beforethe side lay and bar are urged to the position to be clamped. In themoment of clamping, the bar 43 will be moreor less within the body 49and the suction tubes 38, '39- carryiiig' the body 49 will travel, inone instance, ashorter distance and, in. another indistance before thehead 44 bears when the above mentioned sheet and the body 49, but notthe.

Fig. 12 vibration of the and bar 43 acertain distance, 13 the valve (notshown) is clamped to the tubes 36, 39. In any event the moment ofclamping must not be set too early because the ried along by theaspirated sheet. Therefore,

as, as still conthe side edge of the sheet from or a great distance fromthe side lay, as shown whilst the back end of operations are'completed,the final position is reached, as shown in Fig. 14; Thus, it will beseen that the side edge of the sheet 59 bears. against the side lay 46,'the lay having been first urged by the sheet and, after the clamping ofthe bar, the sheet as well as the bar 43 with the side lay attached toit, having been moved further by the suction tubes 39, 39. In any casethe side lay at will be brought to a definite position by reason of itsbeing the head 44 on the clamped to the bar 43 and bar being brought tobear against the stationary block 42. Thus, an accurate lateralregistering of the sheet will be accomplished. The full stroke of therod must be a little more than double the biggest distance one allowsthe edge 59 to have from. the side lay 46 at the beginning of theregistering. The difierence in the travel of the suction tubes 39, 39and the sheet 59 taken up to the moment when the head 44' bears againstthe block 42, is compensated for by the compression of the spring 35.When the sheet is fully registered the levers 22 will have reached sucha position that the sheet can be taken overby the forgrippers 1. Thesemeanwhile have swung in a position" shown in Fig. 2 and at a time thelevers 22 have reached a position shown in the same figure.

In this Figure 2 the front lays 26 are shown swung forward. This isnecessary for two reasons. The sheet will keep its speed after havingbeen gripped by the forgrippers i whilst the'levers 22 in the same timewill be slowed down; thus the sheet would be torn, if the front layswere not moveable; and secondly, to insure a good front registering,there must belittle horns 6i pressing the front edge of the sheetdownwards. These horns must be brought out of the way to enable thesheet to be lifted from the nozzles.

The position of these horns 6| is adjustable proportional to thethickness of the sheet by means of screws 62 and this adjusting havingbeen effected, the horns are clampedon to the front lays by the screws63 (see also Fig. 21).

v be adjusted independently from one another.

forwards and backwards by a fixed cam I I, roller 12 and an arm 13 fixedto the said shaft, the

.roller 12 being pressed against 'the cam by a spring 14 fixed toanother arm 15 fixed on the shaft 65.

The embodiment of the forgrippers (Fig. 1, 2, 6

and 7) is essentially the same as usual, but as they are toswingbackwards after the transferring of the sheet to the cylinder grippersI6, the sheet is not yet wholly resting on the surface of the cylinder5, the length of the grippers 1 is more 11 are swung upwards as s own inFig. 1, when the forgrippers are going backwards.

To allow for this motion of the blocks 11 and for the opening of thegrippers I the following arrangement is provided for. The blocks 11aresupported by a bar 13 fixed to two arms 19, 19a

The shaft 65 gets its .proper movement when levers 22 are swinging thanusual and the blocks front lays are in their pers and parts. of, thefront lays may enter. Thus the different front lays can cylindergrippers. are closed by the springs 90, 9011, even when which again areconnected to an axle .by a device permitting the height of the blocks 11to be adjusted. This axle 8|] is moved by a rotating cam 8|, roller 82and an arm 83 fixed to the said axle, a spring '84 pressing the roller82 against the cam 8|. The grippers 1 are mounted on a sleeve 85surrounding the axle 80, this sleeve being controlled 'by a rotating cam86, roller 87, an arm 88 loose on the hub of the arm 83 and a properlyshaped connecting part 89. Against the pressure of springs 99, 90a thegrippers I are opened, when they have to take over the sheet in theposition shown in Fig. 2 and-again, when they transfer the sheet to theIn all the other times they the blocks 11 are swung upwards. Thus nospecial device is necessaryto lift the grippers when the forgripper isswinging backwards.

As the back part of the sheet is still resting on the levers 22', whenthese and the body 49 and consequently the side lays'46 return to theirinitial position, it is necessary to arrange for a device which liftsthe sheet over the side lay 46. This device is shown in Figs. l0, l5 and16. It consists of a plate.9-| with cylindrical surface which is raisedby air pressure controlled and operated by a valve mechanism (notshown), entering through the tube 92 under the piston 93 in proper time(Fig. 15) Now the parts 49, 45, 46 can return to their initial positionas shown in Fig. 16. When the air pressure is released, a spring 94presses the piston 93 down again.

If the paper to be fed is very rough it may happen that the sheetrestingon that sheet that is to be registered, in consequence of the differenceof their respective speeds tends to take along the sheet to beregistered or to be taken along by it. To prevent this it will begood tolift the back part of this uppermost sheet. This can be done by an airblast the nozzles of which ,are connected with the registering device.If this is not sufficient one can arrange one or more suction rollers ofwell known type rotating with the working speed of the press or thelike, which rollers will be disposed in a small distance above thefeeding table or can be moved up and down to seize the uppermost sheetand lift it.

The cylindrical shape of the plate 9| as well as that of the surface 80and that of several guides I00 (Fig. l), which are screwed onto bridges|0| clamped to the rod 4| and resting on the rod 40, has the purpose togive the sheet a bending corresponding to the radius of the arch overwhich the sheet moves in consequence of the swing of the levers 22. Thusthe sheet is bent when it touches the side lay 46 which gives it acertain stiffening and prevents it from buckling. For the same reasonthe parts 45, 46 and 43 are as light as possible.

The exact registering sideways can be adjusted in the following way. Ashas been told the block 42 is clampedon two rods 40, 4|: If the registershall be shifted by a small distance, one loosens the clamping-95on therod 40 (Fig. 16), but

does not unclamp the clamping device. 96 on the rod 4| (Figs. 9 and 10).Now the rod 4| can be adjusted and fixed again by the two nuts 9], 98turning around a thread 99 of theside rod 4|. After this having beendone, one clamps again the clamping device 95.

The levers 22 are quickly accelerated to a maximum speed that is higherthan the working speed of the press or the like, and keep this speed uptmthe point of transfer of the sheet to the forgrippers. Then the speedis. rapidly diminished so that the levers 22 do not swing far beyond thepoint of transfer. The'return speed is of no importance, it must only bearranged so that the levers 22 are in their back position before the newsheet arrives. The transfer grippers have the same speed as the levers22 in the point of transfer. They keep this speed for a certain distanceand are retarded before the transfer to the cylinder, so that they havethe same speed as this cylinder when the sheet is being transferred.After the transfer they are quickly retarded and return to the othertransfer point with a certain 'overswing from which they are acceleratedto take over the sheet.

Under certain circumstances it will be good not to push the sheet toberegistered against the front lays but to pull them from' the frontedge.

be weak enough to allow the sheet to slide on them when it reaches thefront lays.

To diminish the shock arising when the head 44 bears against the block42 a small spring I21 may be disposed on the bar 43 (Fig. 23), whichspring is weaker' than spring 35 but strong enough to give the effect ofa buffer.

If an obliquely cut sheet is to be fed-the side lay will be arranged inan oblique position. As the sheet can easily be lifted by the device 9|-94 it is possible to use the obtuse angle for the registering which isnot possible with the side registering devices used hitherto.

The described device is one example only of the realization of thefundamental idea the newness of which I: claim.

.To permit the sheet to -be registered to rest on the staggered pile of.sheets to be fed and covered by the end portion of the preceding sheet,the side lay registering may be effected by a device arranged to actupon the sheet by suction from below so that the sheet may slide whenbearing against a fixed stop, instead of being engaged by thetongue-like grippers now in common use. The suction nozzle herebyemployed may bedisposed as near the front edge of the sheetas thedescribed side lay registering device, provided the sheet is preventedfrom turning. To this effect a retarding device may be arranged at theopposite edge, which device may also comprise a suction nozzle, or anozzle of similar design capable of acting upon the upper surface of therear end of'the sheet. The main nozzle disposed at the front end, aswell as the second nozzle, which might be applied to the rear end of thesheet, must engage the sheet only in such a way as to allow it to slidealong the nozzle or nozzles as soon as its edge strikes a fixed sidestop. To facilitate this, the outlet of the nozzle or nozzles may be sodesigned as to admit external airas soon as the sheet strikes the stop.Instead of suction, static electricity or any other force acting solelyon the surface of the sheet may be made use of.

Instead of holding the sheet by suction it may be held by grippers whichlike the two rows of nozzles may be arranged in front and in back of theside lay. The sheet may be bent in any other shape than that described.

to the device holding sheet by a distance equal to the edge of the sheetAny other means than that described to draw the sheet against the frontlaysm'ay be used.

The sliding side lay may be advanced to touch whilst the device holdingthe sheet is not yet shifting. After having touched the edge of thesheet-it may be clamped the sheet and then advance or return togetherwith the device holding the the allowance one provides for the-sheetcoming down to the front lays.

The side lay after having touched the edge of the sheet and beingclamped to the device holding the sheet instead of bearing against afixed stop may interrupt the shifting movement of the device holding thesheet by interrupting the connection of said device holding the sheetwith the parts actuating the same, the disconnecting being effected by aclutch, pawl or the like.

The distance by which the device holding the sheet is shifted may becontrolled by any feeler device influenced by the edge of the sheet,which tered whilst being feeler device if needed may be completed by theinterposition of a mechanical or electrical or pneumatical relay.

The registering device or the forgripper device orboth of them maytravel by a lower speed than that mentioned in the description.

Any device allowing for the sheet to be regispartially covered by thepreceding sheet or finally-any device which allows for the idle part ofthe printing press or the like being passed in a shorter time than isavailable for the registering, are .also claimed as my invention.

The advantages of the new invention against the devices used hithertoare the following.

1. With the usual side lay registering devices the pressure of thetongue-like effect has to be adjusted depending on the friction of thesheet on the feed board and on the resistance of the.

edge of the sheet'bearing against the side lay. As these with differentkinds of paper are not proportional to each other, it may happen thatone must give a higher pressure to overcome the friction andconsequently the edge will be buckled. In contrary with the describeddevice the friction of the-sheet will always be overcome, if

the suction. in the nozzles 2| and Ma is strong enough. Theajpressure ofthe edge against the dependent on that friction,

42, and this is adjustable, as has been told.

2. The same applies tojthe effect of the masses.

A very fine sheet of a very big area suddenly must be stopped by theside lay in the same tiny lapse of time as a sheet of the same naturebutof a I small area would. But the resistance of its edge will not behigher than with that sheet .of a

small area and consequently small effect of the masses. In the describeddevice it is always the 43-46 that has to be same. mass of the partsmoved bythe edge of the sheet, independent of the size of this sheet. Asthese parts can bemade lighter than the lightestsheet ever fed, a largesheet will buckle no more than a-small one.

3. The bending and tightening'of the sheet whilst bearing against-theside lay is another circumstance avoiding buckling of the sheet.

4. As the danger of buckling forces to lower the speed of the press, thethreefold diminishing of this danger means a considerable speeding-up.

5. The registering sideways-can have no influence on the front register,because the sheets are heldfast as soon as the front register ishitherto has been possible.

- is slightly lifted."

sheet to be registered and projecting'a small disthe front lays inproper time, no slowing down device is necessary with much higher speedsthan The strong forces of acceleration which the parts of a slowing downdevice always are exposed to and which often are the cause ofbreak-rdowns, thus being avoided the described device allows for muchhigher speeds of the press.

6. As the registering ofa new sheet can take place whilst the back partof the preceding one has not yet passed the registering device, there isa greater part of the revolution available for the registering, andthisagain means that the .machine can turn much faster.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a sheet feeding machine in which the sheets are fed in overlappedrelation, a device for finally and accurately registering the front edgeof the sheets, means for causing said device to grasp a succeeding sheetwhile the preceding sheet still overlaps, and conveying means forengaging a registered sheet to advance it under positive control andinaccurate registered position. I

2. In a sheet feeding machine in which the sheets are fed in overlappedrelation, a device for finally and accurately registering the front edgeofthe sheet, means for causing said front registering device to registera succeeding sheet while the preceding sheet still overlaps, andconveying means for engaging a registered sheet to advance it underpositive control and in accurate registered position.

3. In a sheet feeding machine in which the sheets are fed in overlappedrelation so that each followingsheet is partly covered by the precedingsheet, a rately registering the front edge of the sheet, means forcausing said front registering device device for finally and accu toregister a succeeding sheet while the preceding sheetstill partly coversthe sheet to be registered,,

and conveying means for engaging a registered sheet to advance it underpositive control and in accurate registered position.

4. In a sheet feeding machine in which the sheets "are fed in'overlappedrelation so that each following sheet is partly covered by the precedingsheet, a device for registering the front edge of the sheet, andmeans'for causing said front registering device to registera succeedingsheet while the preceding sheet still partly covers the sheet" to beregistered, said front registering device comprising front layssupported from underneath the sheet to be registered and projecting asmall distance above the sheet so that the covering sheet 5. In a sheetfeeding machine in which the sheets are fed in overlapped relation sothat each following sheet is partly covered by the preceding sheet, adevice for registering the front edge of the sheet, and means forcausing said front registering device to register a'succeeding sheetwhile the preceding sheet still partly covers the sheet'to beregistered, said front registering device comprising front layssupported from underneath the tance above the sheet so that the coveringsheet is slightly lifted during the registration, said lays being movedforwardly after'the registration so that the registered sheet can passover it.

6. In a. sheet feeding machine in which the sheets are fed in overlappedrelation so that each following sheet is partly .covered by thepreceding sheet, a device for registering the front edge of the sheet,and means for causing said front registering device to register asucceeding sheet while the preceding sheet still partly covers the sheetto be registered, said front registering device comprising front laysand horns, or the like, for holding down the sheet to be registered,both of which are supported fromunderneath the sheet to be registeredand project a small distance above said sheet so that the covering sheetis slightly lifted.

7. In a sheet feeding machine in whichthe sheets are fed in overlappedrelation so that each following sheet is partly covered by thepreceding. sheet, a device for registering the front edge of the sheet,and means for causing said front registering device to register asucceeding and horns being moved forwardly and downwardlyafter theregistration so that the registered' sheet can pass over them.

8. In a sheet feeding machine in which the sheets are fed in overlappedrelation so that each following sheet is partly covered by the precedingsheet, a device for registering the front edge of the sheet, an elementfor registering one side edge of the sheet, means for causing saidregistering device and element to register a succeeding sheet while thepreceding sheet still partly covers the sheet to be registered, andmeans for advancing a completely registered sheet at a graduallyincreasing speed.

9. In a sheet feeding machine in which the sheets are fed in overlappedrelation so that each following sheet is partly covered by the precedingsheet, a device for registering the front edge of the sheet, an elementfor registering one side edge I of the sheet, and means for causing saidregistering device and element to register a succeeding sheet while thepreceding sheet still covers the sheet to be registered to such anextent that the side registering element is covered during at least apart of the time needed for the lateral registration.

10. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of a device for holdinga sheet when registered in one direction, mechanism for moving saiddevice in another direction, said mechanism being controlled by theposition of one edge of a sheet prior to being registered, a memberprovided with a registering guide and adapted to be readily shifted by asheet in contact therewith, and means for causing said member to followthe movement of said device at any time during its movement imparted bysaid mechanism.

11. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of meansforregisteringone edge of a sheet, a device for holding a sheetwhenregistered,

., mechanism. formoving said device, said mechanism being controlled bythe position of another edge of a sheet prior to being registered, amember provided with a registering guide and adapted 'to be readilyshifted by a sheet in contact therewith, and means for causing saidmember to follow the movement of said device at any time during itsmovement imparted by said mechanism.

12. In a sheet feeding machine, a device for registering one edge of thesheet, a device for holding the sheet when registered and resilientmechanism for moving said device a predetermined distance, saidmechanism being controlled by the position of another edge of the sheetprior to being registered.

. 13. In a sheet feeding machine, a device for registering one edge ofthe sheet, a device for holding the sheet when registered and a camoperated resilient mechanism for moving said device a predetermineddistance, said mechanism being controlled by the position of anotheredge of the sheet prior to being registered.

14: In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of a device forregistering a sheet in one direction and having means disposed in.spaced relation for holding the registered edge'of said sheet, mechanismfor moving said holding means and registered sheet in another direction,said mechanismdoeing controlled by the position of the edge of a sheetprior to being registered, a. member provided with a registering guideand adapted to be readily shifted by a sheet in contact therewith, andmeans for causing said member to follow the movement of said holdingmeans at any time during its movement imparted by said mechanism.

15. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of a front lay, a sheetreceiving and holding device, means for moving said lay and devicetoward and away from each other, mechanism for moving said holdingdevice and registered sheet in another direction, said mechanism beingcontrolled by the position of one edge of a sheet prior to beingregistered, a member provided with a side lay and adapted to be readilyshifted by a sheet in contact therewith, and means for causing saidmember to follow the movement of said device at any time during itsmovement imparted by said mechanism.

16. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of a front lay, a sheetreceiving andholding device, means for moving said layand device towardand away from each'other, said means being disposed beneath the path ofthe sheets together with a registered sheet in another direcadapted tobe readily shifted by a sheet in contact therewith, and means forcausing said member to follow the movement of said device at any timeduring its movement imparted by said mechanism.

17. In a sheet feeding machine, a device-for registering the sheet, saiddevice including a suc-' tion means for holding the sheet whenregistered, and mechanism for moving the suction means, said mechanismbeing controlled by the position of one edge of the sheet prior to beingregistered.

18. Ina sheet feeding machine, a device for registering the sheet, saiddevice including parallel rows of suction nozzles for holding the sheetwhen registered, and mechanism for moving the suction nozzles, saidmechanism being'controlled by the position of one edge of the sheetprior tobeing registered.

fed, mechanism for moving said holding device adjustably mounted to ingmeans for cushioning 19. In a sheet feeding machine, a device forregistering and holding the sheet, means for moving said device, and aside lay mounted to 'slide on the device and controlled by the positionof the sheet on the device.

20. In a sheet feeding mac ne, a device for registering and holding thesheet, means for moving said device, and a side lay frictionally and andcontrolled by the position of the sheet registered on the device.

21. In a sheet feeding machine, a device for registering and holding thesheet, means for moving said device, a side lay frictionally andadjustably mounted to slide on the device and controlled by the positionof the sheet on the device, and an element for securing the sidelay tothe device.

22. In a sheet feeding machine, a. device for registering and holdingthe sheet, means for mov-' ing said device, a side lay frictionally andadjustably mounted to slide on the device and controlled by the positionof the sheet on the device, an element for securing the side lay to thedevice,

and a stop for limiting the movement of the.

side l ay.

23. In a sheet feeding machine, a device for registering and holding thesheet, means for moving said device, a side lay frictionally andadjustably mounted to slide on the device and controlled by the positionof the sheet on the device, an element for securing the side lay tothedevice, and a stop for limiting the movement of the side lay, said stopbeing provided with a yieldthe holding device and thereby diminish theimpact of the sheet against the stop.

24.-In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of a device forregistering. and holding a sheet, means for moving said device and sheetwhen registered forwardly, mechanism for moving said device andregistered sheet in another direction, said mechanism being controlledby the position of the edge of the sheet prior to being registered, amember provided with a registering guide and adapted to be readilyshifted by a sheet in contact therewith, and means for causing saidmember to follow the movement of said device at any time during itsmovement imparted by said mechanism. I

- 25. In a sheet feeding machine, a device for registering and holdingthe sheet, the contacting surface of said device being curved to bendand stiffen the sheet when registered and .held

thereon, and mechanism for moving theholding device andregistered sheetin another direction,

of the edge tered in front and said mechanism being controlled by theposition of the sheet prior to being registered.

26. In a'sheet feeding machine, a device for registering the sheetincluding a side lay, means on said device for -holding the sheet whenregisback of said side lay, and mechanism for moving .the holding deviceand registered sheet laterally, said mechanism being controlled by theposition of the edge of the sheet prior to being registered.

- ou'sly registered away from the 27. In a sheet feeding machine, adevice for registering the sheet, a member movable into siu'face of saiddevice, and means and out of the for actuating said memberfor liftingthe previsheet when covering the device device before the arrival of thenext sheet to be registered. 4

28. In a sheet feeding machine, a device. for registering the sheet, aspring pressed member slide on the holding device ward movement.

of the cylinder when the sheet is delivered to the cylinder, but whichexceeds the surface speed of the cylinder between the taking anddelivery points, said means being lifted away from the path of the sheetonits rearward movement.

30. In a sheet feedingmachine, the combination with a rotary cylinderand its grippers, of a device for registering and holding the sheet, andoscillating means including gripper blocks .and spring pressed grippers'for moving the sheet to the grippers on the cylinder at a speed equalto that of the registering device when taking the sheet therefrom .andequal to the surface speed of the cylinder when the sheet is deliveredto the cylinder, but which exceeds the surface speed of the cylinderbetween points, said gripper blocks and grippers being lifted out of thepath of the sheet on their rearward movement.

31 In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a rotary cylinderand its grippers, of a device for registering and holding the sheet, andoscillating means including gripper blocks and spring pressed grippershaving a common axis, said gripper blocks and grippers being disposed tomove the sheet to the grippers on the cylinder at a speed equal 'to thatof the regis-- tering' device when taking the sheet" therefrom and equalto the surface speed of the cylinder,

the taking and delivery and equal to the surface speed of the cylinder.when the sheet is delivered tothe cylinder,

33. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a rotary cylinderand its grippers, of a device for registering and holding the sheet,and. oscillating means for moving the sheet to the grippers on thecylinder at a speed equal to that of the registering device when takingthe sheet therefrom and equal to the surface speed of the cylinder whenthe sheet is delivered to the cylinder, said means being lifted awayfrom the path of the sheet on its rearward movement.

34. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a rotary cylinderand its grippers, of a device for registering and holding the sheet, anoscillating means including gripper blocks and spring pressed grippersfor moving the sheet tothe grippers on the cylinder at a speed equal tothat of the registering .device when taking the sheet therefrom andequal to the surface speed of the cylinder when the sheet is deliveredto the cylinder, said'gripper blocksand grippers being lifted out of thepath of the sheet on their rearregistered sheet in another, direction.

35. In a sheet feeding machine, the. combination with a rotary cylinderand its grippers, of a device for registering and holding the sheet, andoscillating means including gripper blocks and spring pressed grippershaving a common axis, said gripper blocks and grippers being disposed tomove the sheet to the grippers on the cylinder at a speed equal to thatof the registering device when taking the sheet therefrom and equal'tothe. surface speed of the cylinder when the sheet is delivered'to thecylinder, said gripper blocks and grippers also being lifted away fromthe path of the sheet on their rearward movement.

36. In a, sheet feeding machine, the combination of a device forregistering and holding a sheet in one direction, mechanism fordisplacing said holding device after a sheet is registered to offsetregistration in another direction a distance depending on the positionof. the edge of a sheet prior to registration so -as to accurately bringthe edge of the sheet to a predetermined position relative to themachine, a member provided with a registering guide and adapted to bereadily shifted by a sheet incontact therewith, and means for causing,said member to follow the movement of said device at any time duringitsmovement imparted by said mechanism.

3'7. In a sheet feeding machine, means for registering one edge of thesheet, a device for holding the sheet when registered, and resilientmechanism for moving said holding device and-registered sheet a distancepredetermined by the position of the edge of the sheet prior toregistration, said mechanism being, controlled by the position ofanother edg of the sheet prior to being registered.

38. In a sheet feeding machine, a device for registering and holding thesheet including a side lay, the contacting surface of said holdingdevice being curved to bend and stiffen the sheet held thereon, means onthe device for holding the registeredsheet in front and back of saidside lay, and mechanism for moving the holding device laterally, saidmechanism being controlled by the position of the edge of the sheetprior to being registered.

39. In a sheet feeding machine, the vcombination with front andsideregistering devices, .of means for progressively feeding the sheets tosaid registering devices in overlapped relation, said overlappedrelation of one sheet with respect to the adjacent sheet during its sideregistration being at least equal to the distance of the gage"of theside registering device from the front registering device. I

40. In a sheet feeding machine, a front lay, a sheet receiving andholding device, means for moving said lay and device after theregistration of. one sheet and before the registration of the next sheettoward and. away from each other, and mechanism for moving the holdingdevice and 41. In a sheet feeding machine, a front lay, a sheetreceiving and holding device, means for moving said lay and device afterthe registration of one sheet and before the registration of the nextsheet toward and away from each other,

'said means being disposed beneath sheet, and

mechanism for moving the holding device and registered sheet in anotherdirection.

42. In a sheet feeding machine, a front lay, a sheet receiving andholding device, and means for moving said lay and device toward and awayfrom each other.-

4.3.v In a sheet feeding machine, a. front-lay,

a sheet receiving and holding device, and means for moving said lay anddevice toward and away from each other, said means being disposedbeneath the sheet.

44. In asheet feeding machine, a front lay, a sheet receiving andholding device, and means for moving said lay and device after theregistration of one sheet and before the registration of the next sheettoward and away from each other, said means being disposed beneath thesheet.

45. In a sheet-fed printing-press, the combination of a rotary elementof a printing-couple having a non-printing period during each cycle ofoperation, means on said element to hold a sheet thereon during theprinting operation of said couple and to release said, sheet uponcompletion of such printing, and means to feed a sheet to saidholding-means for each printing cycle of said couple including means tofront and side register the sheets individually in succession beforethey reach said holding means, said non-printing period of said couplebeing less than the period used to register a sheet.

46. In a sheet-fed.printing-press, the combina tion of a rotary elementof a printing-couple having a non-printing period during each cycle ofoperation, means on. said element to holda sheet thereon during theprinting operation of said couple and to release said sheet'uponcompletion of such printing, and means to feed a sheet to saidholding-means for each printing cycle of said couple including means tofront and side register the sheets individually in succession, each(while partially overlapped by the preceding sheet, and before theyreach said holding means, said nonprinting period of said couple beingless than the period used to register a sheet 47. In a sheet-feedingmechanism, the bombi nation of front-register gage-means, means toregister the sheets individually in succession against said gage-meansbefore the rear edge of the preceding previously-registered sheet haspassed said gage-means, side-register gagemeans, means to move thefront-registered sheets singly one after the other againstsaidside-register gage-means before the precedingsheet has passed bysaid moving means, and means to convey away while positively maintainingregister of the completely registered sheets individually in sequence.

48. The structure presented in'claim' 47 in which said sheet-movingmeans engages each sheet on that surface thereof opposite the side nextto the preceding sheet.

49. In a sheet-feeding mechanism, the combination of front-registergage-means, means to register the sheets individually in successionagainst said gage-means while partly overlapped above by the precedingpreviously-registered sheet, side-register gage-means, means to engagethe undersurface of, and to move, the front-registered sheets singly oneafter the other against said side-register gage-means before thepreceding sheet has passed by said moving means, and

means to convey away while positively maintainy ing register of..thecompletely registered sheets in dividually in sequence.

0. In a sheet-feedingmechanism, the combination of front-registergage-means, means to register the sheets individually in successionagainst said gage-means while partially overlapped above by thepreceding previously-registered sheet, side-register gage-means, meansto engage the under surface of, and to move, the

front-registered sheets individually in succession against saidside-register gage-means and while overlapped by the preceding sheet,and means to convey away under positive control the completelyregistered sheets individually in sequence.

51. In a sheet-fed printing press, the combination of an impressioncylinder with a gap in its surface, and means for front and sideregistering sheets fed in lapped relation withina period of the cycle ofsaid press greater than that represented by said gap, said sheets whilebeing advanced toward said registering means maintaining always the samelapped relation.

52. In a sheet-fed printing-press, the combination of a printing memberrotating at a constant speed, mechanism for feeding sheets to saidmember, a feed table, sheet-registering means associated with saidtable, said mechanism including means for holding a partially registeredsheet, move it to effect final register of the sheet and then advance itunder positive control and at a temporary speed in excess of that ofsaid printing member, to thereby accelerate the withdrawal of the sheetfrom said registering table.

53. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination of auniformly-rotatingcylinder and its grippers, an oscillatory device for conveying theregistered sheets in succession, conveying-means receiving the sheetsfrom said oscillatory device and means for moving said conveying-meansat the speed of said device when receiving a sheet therefrom andtransferring the sheets to the cylindergrippers at the surface-speed ofthe cylinder, the speed of said conveying-means and its sheet exceedingthe surface-speed of said cylinder between its sheet-reception andtransfer points.

54. In a sheet-fed printing press, the combination of a uniformlyrotating printing cylinder,

sheet registering means, mechanism for transferring registered sheetsindividually and under positive control to said cylinder, said mechanismincluding aplurality of transfer members and means to drive atrleast oneof said members so that it will assume a speed greater than the surfacespeed of said printing cylinder during its transfer function.

55. In a sheet-fed printing press, the combina tion of a uniformlyrotating printing cylinder,

sheet registering means, mechanism for transferring registered sheetsindividually and under positive control to said cylinder, said mechanismincluding a plurality of independently actuated transfer members andmeans to drive at least one of said members so that it will assume aspeed greater than the'surface speed of said printing cylinder duringits transfer function.

56. In a sheet-fed printing-press, thecomblnation of a uniformlyrotating printing member having sheet engaging elements, an oscillatorydevice for engaging a sheet and accelerating it to a speed greater thanthe surface speed of said printing member, a second oscillatory device,and means todrive the latter at a variable speed, said secondoscillatory device being arranged to receive a sheet from said firstdevice at a speed greater than the surface speed of said printing memberand transfer it to said sheet engaging elements at printing speed.

5'7. In a sheet-fed printing press, the combination of a uniformlyrotating printing member having sheet engaging elements, an oscillatorydevice having sheet registering means travelling therewith and adaptedtoengage a sheet and accelerate it to aspeed greater than the surfacespeed of said printing member, a second oscilat a variable speed.

latory device, and means to drive the latter at a variable speed, saidsecond oscillatory device being arranged to receive a sheet from saidfirst device at a speed greater than the surface speed of said printingmemben and transfer it to said sheet engaging elements at printingspeed.

v 58. In a sheet-feeding machine in which the sheets are fed inoverlapped relation, the combination of means to finally and accuratelyregister the front edges of the sheets individually in successlon, eachwhile overlapped by the preceding sheet, means to finally and accuratelyregister a side edge of said sheets individually in succession,

and conveying means to engage each completelyregistered sheet and toadvance it under positive control while maintaining its accurateregistration.

59. In a sheet-feeding machine in which the sheets are fed in overlappedrelation, the combithe combination of means to feed a series of sheetsin partially overlapped relation in the direction of feed, meansto'front register the sheets in succession each while partiallyoverlapped by the preceding sheet, means to positive- I 1y hold eachsuch registered sheet in position,

and conveying means to engage each registered sheet in turn and toadvance it under positive control and in accurate registered position,said holding means transferring each registered sheet to said conveyingmeans.

61. In a sheet feeding and registering device, the combination of .meansto feed a series of sheets in partially overlapped relation in thedirection of feed, means to.,front register the sheets in successioneach while partially overlapped by the preceding sheet, means topositively hold each such registered sheet in position, and conveyingmeans to engage each registered sheet in turn and to advance it underpositive control and in accurate registered position, said holding meanstransferring each registered sheet to said conveying means and saidconveying means operating 62. In a sheet-feeding and registering device,the combination of means to feed a series of sheets in partiallyoverlapped relation in the direction of feed, means to finally andaccurately register the front edges of the sheets individually insuccession, each while overlapped by the preceding sheet, means tofinally and accurately register a side edge of said sheets individuallyin succession, and conveying means to engage each completely-registeredsheet and to advance it under positive control while maintaining itsaccurate registration, said conveying means feeding said sheets inunlapped relation. I

63. In a sheet fed rotary printing press, the

each printing operation, means to temporarily hold a sheet on saidcylinder, means to front and side register the sheets individually, eachsheet during a period of time greater than that occupied by saidcylinder gap in passing a given point,

and means to advance the registered sheets in hold a sheet on saidcylinder, means to automatically front and side register the sheetsindividually, each sheet during a period of time greater than thatoccupied by said cylinder gap in passing a' given point, and means toadvance the registered sheets in succession toward and to deliver, thesheets individually to said cylinder and its sheet holding means, onefor each revolution of the cylinder.

65. In a sheet fed printing press, the combination of a rotary elementof a printing-couple havinga non-printing period during each cycle ofoperation, means on said element to hold a sheet thereon, means to feeda sheet to said holdingmeans for each printing cycle of said couple, andmeans to front and side register the sheets individually in successionbefore they reach saidholding-means, said non-printing period of saidcouple being less than the period used to register a sheet.

66. In a sheet fed printing press, the combination of a rotary elementof a printing-couple having a non-printing period during each cycle ofoperation, means on said element to hold a sheet thereon, means to feeda sheet to said holding means for each printing cycle of said couple,and means to front and side register the sheets individually insuccession, each while partially overlapped by the preceding sheet, saidnonprinting period of said couple being less than the period used toregister a sheet.

67. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of means for feedingsheets in lapped relation toward the impression cylinder of a printingpress, means for registering the front edges of the sheets successivelyeach while lapped by the preceding sheet, means for side registering thesheets successively, andopening and closing transfer grippers forengaging the front and side registered sheets along the front edgethereof and for maintaining them under positive control in accurateregister and transferring said sheets in succession to said impressioncylinder.

68. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of means for feedingsheets in lapped relation toward the impression cylinder of a printingpress, means for registering the front edges of the sheets, means forside registering the sheets successively each while lapped by thepreceding sheet, and opening and closing transfer grippers for engagingthe front and side registered sheets each along the front edge thereofand for maintaining them under positive control in accurate register andtransferring said sheets in succession to said impression cylinder.

69. In a sheet feeding machine in which the ,sheets are fed inoverlapped relation, mechanism for finally and accurately registeringthe front edge of the sheets, said mechanism comprising means forfinally and accurately registering the side edge of the sheets and forgrasping a registered sheet while still overlapped by the precedin sheetand advancing it under positive control and in accurate registeredposition.

70. In a sheet fed printing press, the combination of an impressioncylinder having a gap in its surface, means for supporting a supply ofsheets to be fed to said cylinder, a feed table, sheet registeringmeans, means to separate sheets from said supply, means to remove theseparated sheets individually and in succession with all of the sheetsas they are being removed from said supply traveling in the samedirection and over said feed table to advance them to said registeringmeans, and means to front and side register said sheets within a periodof the cycle of said press greater than that period occupied bysaidcylinder gap in passing a given point.

ARTHUR WORMSER.

